Fig. 3
From: Targeting microRNAs as key modulators of tumor immune response
MicroRNA-based strategies for anti-cancer therapy. The main strategies for the modulation of miRNA activity are basically based on enhancing or inhibiting the expression of specific miRNAs with miRNA mimics (1) or miRNA antagonists (2), respectively. Modified miRNA molecules have been developed to increase the stability of miRNA mimics and miRNA antagonists, including miRNA mimics containing modified cyclopentyl-guanine based, cholesterol-conjugated 2′-O methyl-modified miRNA mimics/anti-miRs, locked nucleic acid (LNA)-modified anti-miRs and 2′-O-methoxyethyll-4′-thioRNA (MOE-SRNA). A different approach consists in miRNA sponges (3), which are complex constructs able to interfere with miRNA/mRNA interaction. Interference at miRNA biogenesis level is obtained with small-molecule inhibitors of miRNAs, SMIRs (4). Modified or unmodified miRNA modulators can be delivered to target cells by using viral (5) or non-viral vectors consisting in different types of biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticles (6)